Robert Harward turns down Trumps national security offer

[deminks]

Source: Financial Times

Donald Trump is trying to convince his preferred candidate to succeed Michael Flynn as national security adviser to change his mind after the retired admiral tapped for the role told the US president that he could not accept the White House position, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Mr Trump asked Robert Harward, a retired navy special forces officer to succeed Mr Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser on Monday. At a press conference on Thursday, he said his decision to replace Mr Flynn had been made easier because he had an “outstanding” candidate to serve as a replacement.

But Mr Harward is said to have turned Mr Trump down. “Harward is conflicted between the call of duty and the obvious dysfunctionality,” said one person with first hand knowledge of the discussions between Mr Trump and Mr Harward. The second person said Mr Trump had asked Mr Harward to return to the White House for another meeting to try to change his mind.


Read more: https://www.ft.com/content/e89c64b8-f494-11e6-95ee-f14e55513608

[gopiscrap]

1. then I am guessing that it is going to be

Last edited Thu Feb 16, 2017, 07:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Petreaus?

[Crash2Parties]

6. Why not? Would that really be so out of pattern?

[gopiscrap]

8. didn't the disgraced general have a leakage problem?

and will his probation officer let him accept the position?

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Petraeus is still under probation for his conviction

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/23/politics/david-petraeus-sentencing/

I can't see how they can suddenly give him a clearance again. But then the times they are a-changing.

[Honeycombe8]

2. I can understand Harward's hesitancy.

It could damage his career and reputation. If anything goes wrong, they'll hang him out to dry. Because the buck stops...over there somewhere. Not with the man at the top.

Hope it's not Petraeus, who has leaked classified information to his mistress. Was he convicted of that, or was it a plea deal...or ...I don't remember.

[fountainofyouth]

4. Pled down to a misdemeanor

He's still on probation!

[gopiscrap]

9. I bet trump would pardon him to get him off of probation

[Hortensis]

26. Yes, those around Trump are in grave danger of

having to resign in disgrace and even go to prison. For their own crimes. Flynn certainly knew having policy discussions with the Russians as a civilian was illegal; "just following orders" is not an excuse.

Btw, remember that President Nixon was allowed to resign instead of being prosecuted and sentenced to prison for his crimes. People around him who went to prison, and/or were otherwise ruined, did so for theirs.

[DeminPennswoods]

3. He could want concessions from Trump

It was reported Harward would "clean house" at the NSC. That would mean guys like Bannon would be out.
What if Harward wants a commitment from Trump that he'll be ok with said "house cleaning" and can only get that by playing hard to get?

[leftynyc]

13. That's a very interesting

theory and one I wouldn't have considered. I just assumed he didn't want to tarnish his reputation working for a lunatic. I'm VERY surprised a military man turned down a request to serve coming from the president.

[Bohunk68]

27. Admiral Harwood has HONOR. Something

Herr PutinFluffer and his fluffers do not have or even understand.

[C_U_L8R]

5. Get Trump't

Trump. Da-dump.

[catbyte]

7. After that Cpt. Queeg presser today, he knows what a clusterfuck he'd be walking into.

Plus Bannon.

[raccoon]

29. Right. And if there was some catastrophe, his name would be associated with it forever.

Or so you'd think. But Condi Rice wasn't held accountable in any way for 9/11.
Not that I'm aware of.

[rurallib]

10. former Navy vet refuses to jump on sinking ship.

normally that isn't news

[calimary]

12. Just got it on my phone: Washington Post has this, too.

"...turns down offer, people familiar with decision say..."

One thing I did a few weeks ago in honor of the "failing Washington Post and New York Times" was to get myself a digital subscription!

[msanthrope]

14. Ain't touching that shite.....nt

[Bradical79]

15. CBS link

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-harward-turns-down-national-security-adviser-job/

[bora13]

16. another one who

wanted to spend more time with his family.

[Bradical79]

17. Sounds like common problem for Trump:

https://mobile.twitter.com/Carter_PE/status/832368451935158272

"FWIW I'm hearing of similar offers/refusals up and down the chain, down to DAS and Sched C level in DoD and elsewhere "

[mobeau69]

18. Told drumpf he had to able to able clean out the NSC

Bye Bye Bannon would be the price for Harward. Bannon informed orange mess there was no way.

[roamer65]

19. Good on 'ya, Mr. Harward.

[Bayard]

20. But, but, but...

"This administration is running like a well-oiled machine"! Why would he not want to jump right in?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

21. Good for him

Why would anyone want to be a part of that train wreck?

[LuckyLib]

22. Tapper tweeted that a friend of Harward's commented that he called the offer a "shit sandwich."

[Greywing]

23. Why would any one with ethics, morals, principal and love for their country

serve in this administration?

[southerncrone]

24. Even a Navy Seal knows these waters are too dangerous.

There will be no survivors. It will be interesting to see how many of Drumph's picks end up "fired" or disgraced, or both.

[tblue37]

25. Apparently he told his friends the job was a "sh*t sandwich." nt

[nitpicker]

28. From the BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39000389

(snip)
US President Donald Trump's choice for national security adviser has turned down the job offer. Retired Vice-Admiral Robert Harward was widely tipped for the post after Mr Trump fired Michael Flynn on Monday. A White House official said Mr Harward cited family and financial commitments, but US media said the sticking point was he wanted to bring in his own team.
(snip)